Rescued dogs do not come in perfectly wrapped packages that you find under your tree on December 25th. They come to us with histories, often sad, or imperfections such as missing teeth or scars from their past. Some are strays with pasts that remain a mystery. Some experience behavioral issues including separation anxiety, digging, jumping or barking while some are special needs dogs that require additional time and patience.

As you read this, please stop, take a deep breath, relax and smile. At some point this past year, you gave a second or third chance, a loving home to one of God’s beautiful creatures who through no fault of their own were put in a position of not being wanted, of not fitting into their families lives. Your caring, love and generosity cannot be surpassed: you have given the ultimate gift.

On behalf of the dogs who cannot speak for themselves and the Rescue, I want to thank you for your support. You have kept the rescue in operation.

At a time of year that often becomes overwhelming, stressful and hectic, take a moment to look in your dog’s eyes and receive the only gift they can give to you: Their unconditional love; a special love that I know did not come into your life as the perfect package.

Today, I found Nobody's Dog.
Her ribs were beginning to show through.

At first, she tucked her tail tightly and ran,
Then, ever hopeful, returned with a tenative wag.

I bet she was cute as a puppy.
Somebody picked her out special, took her home,
And made her believe she would always be loved;
But some humans change their minds
As often as dirty socks.

Even so, the betrayed black dog is still loving
them, Futilely waiting for them to come back for her
She had a name once, and now she can't understand,
For you see, a dog's love never dies.

Today, I found Nobody's Dog.
One of millions abandoned each year
By owners's who take the cowardly way out.

They won't see her slowly starve or freeze to death,
Be hit by a car, or live at the mercy of strangers,
As she begs for a scrap of attention.

Today, the Shelter rescued Nobody's Dog.

There, she'll be fed, she'll be loved, and hopefully
She'll be claimed by a more fitting, deserving human.

If not, she'll go to an even better place,

One where dogs are always loved,
And are never thrown away on a cruel whim

But, she still yearns........

To be Somebody's Dog once more.

Author Unknown
I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.
You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing, for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes, to be with me.

So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of other of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat.

Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.

I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "One more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me.

We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart.

Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general.

You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls.

I do not think of you as a "Dog on two feet" -- I know what you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still. Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper to my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short.

--Love,
on behalf of canines everywhere

Musings
by Richard Biby, Contributing Editor Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was " just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Do I Go Home Today?
Sandy Thompson,1995

My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the little girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me; they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say!
These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory.
I now live in the shelter--without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old one and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rug, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said I was out of control and would have to live outside.
This I didn't understand, although I tried and tried!
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't the time.
I wish that I could change things; I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely in the backyard, on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some training as a little pup, I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left", I heard a worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance?
Do I go home today?

Dear God, please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.
My body is aching, it's so racked with pain, and dear God I pray, as I run in the rain.
That someone will love me and give me a home, a warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone.
My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water, and God that was hard.
So I chewed my leash, and God I ran away.
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now God, I'm tired and hungry and cold, and I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.
They've chased me with sticks and hit me with stones, while I run the streets just looking for bones!
I'm not really bad, God, please help if you can, for I have become just a "Victim of Man!"
I'm wormy dear God and I'm ridden with fleas, and all that I want is an Owner to please!
If you find one for me God, I'll try to be good, and I won't chew their shoes, and I'll do as I should.
I'll love them, protect them and try to obey...when they tell me to sit, to lie down or to stay!
I don't think I'll make it too long on my own, cause I'm getting so weak and I'm so all alone.
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry, cause I'm so afraid God, that I'm gonna die.
And I've got so much love and devotion to give, that I should be given a new chance to Live!
So dear God, please answer my prayer, and send me someone who will REALLY care..
That is, dear God, if YOU'RE REALLY there!